Dec 29, 2023; Memphis, TN, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) reacts after a first down catch during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
AMES — Seventeen measly yards.
That’s what separated Iowa State senior wide receiver Jayden Higgins from becoming the seventh player in program history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a season a year ago.
So what does the former transfer from Eastern Kentucky do for an encore?
Share the wealth — and praise his pass-catching brethren.
“Obviously, you can tell we’re extremely dynamic,” said Higgins, who averaged 18.5 yards per reception last season. “We have a lot of depth. We’ve got guys who can go in and make plays. Anyone can go in there and make plays. The way our room is connected is awesome. It’s all love towards every person; everyone wants to see each other succeed, and that’s only gonna help us (this) fall. Having so many weapons — it’s a great thing to be around.”
Higgins and fellow senior Jaylin Noel form the second-most productive returning pass-catching duo in the Big 12, narrowly behind Oklahoma State’s Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens. Higgins and Noel combined for 119 receptions, 1,803 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. They also helped league offensive freshman of the year quarterback Rocco Becht complete six passes that spanned 60-plus yards — double the total of any other Big 12 playcaller.
“When they have the ball in their hands, they can do something special,” Becht said.
And the Cyclones’ quarterback didn’t limit that praise to Higgins and Noel. Transfers Eli Green and Isaiah Alston have turned heads in fall camp — and redshirt freshman Beni Ngoyi is poised to make major contributions, as well. Alston, Higgins and Ngoyi each stand 6-4 or taller and all three can stretch the field.
So who’s the fastest player in that room?
“I’d like to go with myself,” said Ngoyi, who hauled in a 45-yard reception in the Liberty Bowl loss to Memphis. “But in (the) NCAA (football video game), me and Jaylin are rated 92 speed. So me or Jaylin — the game says it.”
Soon, ISU’s strong stable of receivers will have a say in how successful the offense will be in a season surrounded by great expectations. The Cyclones feature three receivers — Higgins, Noel and Green — who totaled 800-plus yards through the air in 2023, so big plays can come from a wide range of sources.
“I think that’s the fun thing for us as offensive coaches and for (first-year offensive coordinator Taylor) Mouser,” ISU receivers coach Noah Pauley said. “(We don’t) have to say we’ve got to get Jayden Higgins the ball every single time. You can (attack) the defense and stretch those guys out and that’s the beauty of our team. These guys truthfully have joy for everyone else and making big plays and getting someone open. We always want to win big games, and you may have a big game or you may not, but if we’re winning, we’re all happy about it.”
Especially Higgins, who joined the Cyclones program last season to prove his mettle at the Power Four level. He’s already done that — and declined to set a yardage-based goal for himself this season.
“I would say the most important thing is contributing to the team as far as winning games,” Higgins said. “Whatever the team needs me to do to win games, I feel like if I do that, then I’ll be in a perfect spot to (get) to where I want to be.”
